Was reading more entries from a diary I purchased at a public sale in York City. The descriptive language, written with a quill pen over 100 years ago, chronicles a steamship trip taken from York, PA to Savannah, GA. The first entry starts on Tuesday, August 15, 1905.
"All aboard for Savannah! Tonight we are located in a large and roomy stateroom (#28) of the Merchants and Miners Transportation Co's steamer "Itasca", en route through the waters of Chesapeake Bay for the Sunny South. On our deck a strong wind is blowing and the cinders that blow in from the large smoke stacks makes it rather uncomfortable. There are buoys and light houses galore, not to mention the large ocean liners frequently passed, to which a salute is always given."
"Have just finished breakfast. The meals are all to the good and the service fine. Had the finest cantaloupe of the summer this morning. A more juicy one I never ate."
"The Captain (I think his name is Cromwell) is not a very agreeable man, but looks as if he won't let us go to the bottom of the sea if he can help it. Looks like the Steward left a finger behind somewhere. I suppose he will do, however."
"Have just finished a game of Flinch, the winner of which I may boastfully state was Mr. R. F. Gable. Tis' a glorious moonlit night and the waters are beautiful to watch. Having spent a fine day and have not been in the least seasick."
"Made a number of photos with my camera as the sun was strong and suitable for a good negative. We have found that the boat hardly rocks at all on the navigators bridge at the bow of the boat and have spent the greater part of the day there. The breeze is very stiff at this point, but nevertheless is cool and invigorating."
"During the afternoon large flocks of seagulls were observed following our ship and at about five o'clock three or four flying fishes skimming over the water. These fish can live both above and below the water and are extremely interesting to watch."
"Also had the novel experience of watching a school of ten or twelve porpoises race with our ship about eleven o'clock. We watched the fish until, wearied out by the race our boat was giving them, they swam off and were lost in the water."
"Our appetites have been all we wish them to be and we have been eating like wood-threshers. Spent an hour of so watching the sun sink in a glow of splendor from the bow of the boat. The tints of the sky and water were beautiful."
I posted more comments about this diary, including a picture of the possible gravestone of the author, (I think R. F. Gable) from York PA. To view this post from last February click HERE.
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